Play Therapy
Play is a child’s natural form of expression. During play, children express their deepest emotions and beliefs they have built about themselves and the world. They open themselves up and invite us to understand their world. But it is up to us to comprehend what is there to comprehend and meet their needs that they so clearly put out.
What is Play Therapy?
– Russell Barkley
Any so-called “negative” behaviour is the child’s attempt to connect with the adults around them. It is the adults’ duty not to react to the exhibiting behaviour but to listen to what they are not saying.
We adults can reach out, talk about our difficulties, communicate our needs and get help. But children who have not yet developed the strength, clarity and vocabulary to speak about the difficulty they experienced need us to understand the unspoken and help them alleviate the difficulty they are facing.
This is exactly what Play Therapy does. A Play Therapist is trained to hold a safe space, build a trusting relationship, and allow the child to revisit the events or cause of difficulties at their own pace and find a resolution. The whole therapeutic process is led by the child and the therapist follows.
Anger & Aggression
Children struggling with anger and aggression often have difficulty expressing their emotions in healthy ways. Play therapy provides a safe outlet for them to explore and manage these intense feelings, helping them develop better coping mechanisms.
Lack of Confidence
Low confidence can hinder a child’s ability to engage with others and try new things. Through play therapy, children can build self-assurance as they successfully navigate challenges within a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Separation Anxiety
Children experiencing separation anxiety may feel overwhelming distress when apart from caregivers. Play therapy allows them to work through their fears in a safe space, fostering a sense of security and independence.
Transitions
Life changes, such as moving to a new home or starting a new school, can be overwhelming for children. Play therapy helps them process these transitions, offering tools to adapt and thrive in new situations.
Impulsiveness
Impulsivity can lead to difficulties in school and social settings. Play therapy helps children learn to pause, reflect, and make more thoughtful decisions by practicing self-control in a playful, structured setting.
Attachment Issues
Children with attachment issues often struggle to form trusting relationships. Play therapy provides a nurturing environment where they can build connections, develop trust, and explore feelings related to attachment.
Self-esteem issues
Low self-esteem can affect a child’s overall well-being and social interactions. In play therapy, children engage in activities that promote a positive self-image, helping them to recognize their strengths and worth.
Abuse
Children who have experienced abuse may have difficulty expressing their trauma. Play therapy offers a safe and supportive space for them to process their experiences, helping them heal and regain a sense of control.
Compensatory Inappropriate Behaviour
Children who exhibit compensatory inappropriate behaviors may be trying to cope with underlying emotional issues. Play therapy helps them address the root causes of these behaviors, guiding them toward healthier ways of expressing their needs and emotions.
Grief and Loss
Children who have experienced the death of a loved one or another significant loss may struggle to understand and express their grief. Play therapy offers a supportive space for them to explore their emotions and begin the healing process.
Trauma
Children who have experienced traumatic events, such as natural disasters, accidents, or witnessing violence, may struggle with anxiety, fear, and confusion. Play therapy helps them process these events in a way that is developmentally appropriate and safe.
Divorce or Family Conflict
Children affected by divorce or ongoing family conflict may feel confused, guilty, or anxious. Play therapy provides a neutral space for them to express their feelings and learn to cope with changes in family dynamics.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Children with ADHD may find it challenging to focus, follow instructions, and manage hyperactivity. Play therapy helps them develop strategies to improve attention and control impulsive behaviors.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Children on the autism spectrum may find it challenging to connect with others and navigate social interactions. Play therapy can help them improve communication skills, social understanding, and emotional regulation.
Selective Mutism
Children with selective mutism may find it difficult to speak in certain situations despite being able to speak in others. Play therapy can help them feel more comfortable and confident in expressing themselves in a non-threatening environment.
…and a lot more.
All our therapists are internationally certified and supervised by leading play-based child well-being organizations.
Questions parents ask often
We have compiled answers to questions parents often ask about how to help children.
Question 1
Answer 1
Question 2
Answer 2
The Play Therapy Room
The Play Therapy room gives children free access to a range of play activities. In the first few sessions, each child chooses something they are most comfortable with. As they progress through the therapeutic journey, they choose activities that help them exhibit the behaviours with which they need help from the therapist. Once a trusting relationship is formed, the therapist can help surface the client’s underlying beliefs to their conscious mind and find resolutions.
The Play Therapy Toolkit
The Play Therapy toolkit is a carefully curated collection of therapeutic tools and resources designed to help children express their emotions, process experiences, and resolve psychological challenges through play. Play therapy leverages the natural medium of play, which is how children naturally explore their world, express themselves, and learn about relationships.
The toolkit typically includes items like art supplies, puppets, sand trays, therapeutic games, and sensory toys, each serving a unique purpose in facilitating emotional expression, problem-solving, and behavioral change. By using these tools in a safe and supportive environment, therapists can help children articulate their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and work through difficult emotions or traumas in a way that feels natural and engaging to them.
Sand Tray and Miniatures
Purpose: The sand tray and miniatures (figurines representing people, animals, vehicles, etc.) allow children to create scenes that represent their inner world.
Therapeutic Benefit: This non-verbal method helps children express feelings, thoughts, and experiences that may be difficult to articulate. The scenes they create can reveal subconscious thoughts and provide insights into their emotional state.
Art Supplies (Paper, Crayons, Markers, Paint)
Purpose: Art supplies encourage creative expression through drawing, painting, origami etc.
Therapeutic Benefit: Art helps children express complex emotions, manage anxiety, and gain a sense of control. It can also be a safe outlet for children to process trauma and explore their feelings.
Puppets and Dolls
Purpose: Puppets and dolls allow for role-playing and storytelling, which are essential for children to express themselves.
Therapeutic Benefit: Through puppets and dolls, children can project their feelings and experiences onto these characters, which can make it easier to talk about difficult topics. It also aids in developing social skills and understanding relationships.
Books and Therapeutic Stories
Purpose: Books, particularly those with therapeutic themes, and storytelling tools provide children with relatable characters and situations.
Therapeutic Benefit: Stories can help children understand and normalize their feelings, offering solutions or coping strategies for their challenges. They also help children explore different perspectives and build empathy.
Games (Board Games, Card Games)
Purpose: Therapeutic games are used to address specific emotional or behavioral difficulties.
Therapeutic Benefit: Games help children learn to follow rules, take turns, and cope with winning or losing. They can also provide a context for discussing emotions and behaviors in a non-threatening way.
Musical Instruments
Purpose: Simple musical instruments like drums, tambourines, or xylophones are used to facilitate self-expression through sound.
Therapeutic Benefit: Playing music allows children to express emotions non-verbally and can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with verbal communication. Rhythm and sound can also help in regulating emotions and reducing stress.
Building Blocks and Construction Toys
Purpose: Toys like blocks, LEGO, or other construction sets encourage problem-solving and creativity.
Therapeutic Benefit: Building activities can help children improve their cognitive and motor skills while providing a sense of accomplishment. They also allow children to express themselves through the creation of structures that may symbolize their inner world.
Masks, Costumes and Dress-Up Clothes
Purpose: Dress-up clothes and props allow for imaginative play and role reversal.
Therapeutic Benefit: Dressing up helps children explore different roles, which can assist in understanding various perspectives, expressing hidden emotions, and practicing social skills.
Sensory Toys (Stress Balls, Fidget Spinners, Playdough)
Purpose: Sensory toys engage the senses and provide tactile feedback.
Therapeutic Benefit: These materials help children manage anxiety and stress by providing a calming and grounding experience. They can also aid in developing fine motor skills and sensory integration.
Therapeutic Cards (Emotion Cards, Coping Skills Cards)
Purpose: These cards depict different emotions, coping strategies, or scenarios for discussion.
Therapeutic Benefit: Therapeutic cards help children identify and discuss their feelings, understand emotional triggers, and learn coping strategies in a structured way.
Kinetic Sand or Sensory Bins
Purpose: Kinetic sand or bins filled with rice, beans, or other tactile materials offer a sensory-rich experience.
Therapeutic Benefit: Sensory play helps in calming children, improving focus, and providing a means for self-expression through touch and manipulation.
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